Hing Deng

IB Chemistry SL
3/21/10
6th period

Introduction:
In this experiment, the amount of calories in a gummy bear is being tested. This is done
so by using the potassium chlorate to heat up the water and dropping the gummy bear afterwards
into the mixture to see how much heat it would conduct. Then, the water was measured
afterwards to see the temperature change to determine how much energy the gummy bear had.
The independent variable is the gummy bear and the dependent variable is the amount of heat in
the H2O. There was suppose to be three trials of the lab, but due to the dangers of the lab it was
only done once.

Research question: If a gummy bear is calculated for its calories, will it be the same as the
accepted value?

Hypothesis: It is believed that the gummy bear will be close to the accepted value.

Materials:
1.) 1 gummy bear
2.) 4.12 g of potassium chlorate (KCLO3)
3.) 100 mL of H2O
4.) 1 beaker
5.) 1 test tube clamp
6.) 1 Bunsen burner
7.) 1 pair of tongs
8.) 1 ring stand
9.) 1 weighing machine
10.) 1 thermometer
Procedure:
1.) Obtain 4.12g KCLO3 .
2.) Put the potassium chlorate in a 50 mL Pyrex 2 tube
3.) Place the tube of the KCLO3 in a test tube clamp on a ring stand under the hood.
4.) Measure 100 mL of H2O in a beaker.
5.) Measure the initial temperature of the H2O.
6.) Weigh the gummy bear to get the mass of it.
7.) Put the Bunsen burner under the test tube of KCLO3 for it to melt.
8.) Turn on the hood and use tongs to put the H2O above the KCLO3 mixture.
9.) After the KCLO3 mixture has melted, drop the gummy bear into the tube of KCLO3.
10.) Observe and obtain the final temperature of the H2O afterwards when the reaction is
done.
Data calculations and processing:
Serving size stated on the pack of gummy bears: 16 pieces

The amount of sucrose stated: 23g

Assuming that the sucrose is sucrose: C12H22O11

Calculating the sucrose content of one gummy bear: 23g/16 pieces = 1.4375g of sucrose in one
gummy bear

Calculating the molar mass of sucrose: C12H22O11= 2(12.01) + 22(1.01) +11(16) = 144.14
+2222+176 = .36g/mol

Equation of sucrose mixed with potassium chlorate: C12H22O11 + 8 KCLO3 - 12 CO2 + 11 H2O

Calculating the moles of sucrose according to the equation: 1.4375g/342.36 g/mol = 0.042 mol
of sucrose

Calculating the moles of KCLO3: .0042 mol sucrose (g mol KCLO3/8 mol KCLO3) = .03359 mol
KCLO3

Calculating how much of KCLO3 should be used with one gummy bear: (122.54g/mol KCLO3)
(.0336 mol) = 4.12g KCLO3 per gummy bear

Change in temperature = Initial temperature – final temperature = 19°C – 22.1°C = 3.1°C

Calculating heat that was released by the gummy bear and absorbed by H2O in calories (1
calorie(c) = 4.18 J) = (100 mL of H2O)(3.1°C)(1 calorie/J degrees C) = 310 calories/4.18 J =
74.162 J absorbed in H2O

Conclusion:
It was discovered that the calories measured from the experiment (does or does not)
matches with the accepted value. A possible error could be that the amount of heat was lost or
gained due to the conditions in the air. The only way to limit this is to have the smallest amount
of air possible going into the experiment area but this is not very possible as oxygen is needed to
fire up the potassium chlorate and the gummy bear. Also, the amount of water has the possibility
of being inaccurate in measurement. Under safe conditions with the help of someone, more trials
can be tested for accuracy. The energy of the potassium chlorate is contributed into the water so
it is not just the gummy bear’s energy alone but this cannot be fixed as the gummy bear’s
calories cannot be measured otherwise.
 Calculate the joules released per gram of nut/food that burned.

 Examine the "Nutritional Value Information" found on the package of one of the food
samples. Note that 1 Food Calorie(C) is equivalent to 4.184 kJ of heat energy. Use this
information to determine the "accepted value" for the heat content per gram of snack food. What
is the percent error for your experiment?

 Explain how can you improve the accuracy of this experiment?